Game #3 Recap: Caps 3 Senators 2 (OT)

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The Capitals got all they could handle from the Ottawa Senators last night. In a hard fought game it was Alex Ovechkin who came through for the home team. With 31 seconds remaining in overtime the Capitals captain got the puck on the right wing side, made a subtle little move on the defenseman, and fired the puck 5-hole for the win. Now, I'm sure the Senators goalie wants that one back as he had a solid effort going up to that point but the game was over. On the other end, Michael Nuevirth had another stellar effort in net for the caps, including  a double pad save effort near the end of regulation.

The Capitals opened the scoring in the first when Brooks Laich feed Alexander Semin, who standing all alone on the right side of the crease. Semin roofed his first goal of the season. I don't know how that kid can lift the puck so high in such tight quarters, but I guess that's why he gets the big bucks. The Senators replied with a nice deflection goal from in close. The Caps regained the lead on a nice passing play from Boyd Gordon to Matt Hendricks to Eric Fehr. The Senators tied it up halfway through the third on a great individual effort by Ryan Shannon. The two teams played a furious pace to the end of the game setting up Ovechkin for the OT heroics.

Of Note:

• Eric Fehr had a heck of a game. In addition to scoring the Caps second goal, he assisted on the first goal and led the team with 4 shots on goal. For his effort he was awarded the game's #1 star.
• John Erskine had a rough game but picked up 2 penalty minutes to give him 300 in his Capitals career.
• Alexander Semin scored the 149th goal of his Capitals career. He is tied with Kevin Hatcher for 12th place on the Capitals all-time goal scoring list.
• Michael Nuevirth stopped 29 of 31 shots for his second win of the season. He seems to be gaining in confidence over the last three games.
• Alex Ovechkin now has 2 game-winning goals on the season and 43 in his career.
• Jeff Shultz was +1.
• Mike Green didn't show up on the score sheet but the kid is playing some serious defense. A nice effort last night earned him the games 2nd star.

Official Recap
Game Summary
Event Summary

Game #3 Preview: Washington Capitals vs. Ottawa Senators

Where: Verizon Center, Washington, DC

When:  October 11, 2010 7:00 PM

History:           

Caps Record on this Date: 6-10-2-0

Caps Game 3 Record: 11-16-6-2

All-Time vs. OTT: 31-28-5-3

All-Time Home vs. OTT: 18-11-4-1

Last Season vs. OTT: 1-1-2

Last Meeting: 3/30/10, WAS 4 OTT 5 (OT)

This Year:

WAS Record: 1-1-0

Standings Points: 2

Division Rank: 3rd

Conference Rank: 6th      

Last Game: 10/9/10, WAS 7 NJ 2

Streak: Win 1

OTT Record: 0-2-0

Standings Points: 0

Division Rank: 5th

Conference Rank: 15th    

Last Game: 10/9/10, OTT 1 TOR 5

Streak: Loss 2

Probable Line-Ups:     

Washington

Forward Line 1: 8 OVECHKIN, 19 BACKSTROM, 22 KNUBLE

Forward Line 2: 21 LAICH, 14 FLEISCHMANN, 28 SEMIN

Forward Line 3: 25 CHIMERA, 90 JOHANSSON, 16 FEHR

Forward Line 4: 26 HENDRICKS, 15 GORDON, 10 BRADLEY

Defense Pair 1: 55 SCHULTZ, 52 GREEN

Defense Pair 2: 3 POTI, 4 ERSKINE

Defense Pair 3: 27 ALZNER, 74 CARLSON

Goalie: 30 NEUVIRTH

Back-up Goalie: 35 SABOURIN

OTT

Forward Line 1: 9 MICHALEK, 19 SPEZZA, 11 ALFREDSSON

Forward Line 2: 73 RUUTU, 13 REGIN, 27 KOVALEV

Forward Line 3: 71 FOLIGNO, 22 KELLY, 25 NEIL

Forward Line 4: 15 SMITH, 12 FISHER, 18 WINCHESTER

Defense Pair 1: 65 KARLSSON, 14 CAMPOLI

Defense Pair 2: 4 PHILLIPS, 55 GONCHAR

Defense Pair 3: 39 CARKNER, 5 LEE

Goalie: 33 LECLAIR

Back-up Goalie: 30 ELLIOTT

Injuries:

Washington – 1 VALAMOV (groin) DTD

OTT – 17 KUBA (broken leg) IR

Caps Milestones:

Nicklas Backstrom needs 11 assists to reach 200 in his career.

Brooks Laich needs 9 points to reach 200 in his career.

John Erskine needs 2 penalty minute to reach 300 with the Capitals.

Preview:

The Caps returned to their winning ways with an impressive 7-2 victory over the New Jersey Devils Saturday night. Washington will play their third game in four nights against the Ottawa Senators. The big question for the Caps is will who will start in net? Michael Nuevirth played two solid games Friday and Saturday and Semyon Varlamov is still a bit gimpy with groin issues. So Head Coach Bruce Boudreau may go with career backup Dany Sabourin who signed with the Caps this past offseason. The Sens are winless in two games this season but gave the Caps fits last season including two overtime game winners. Ottawa added former Capital Sergei Gonchar to the defense corps and will look to use their speed against the Caps. Look for a fast, gritty game with lots of hitting. The key for the Caps is keeping to their team systems as the action may be wide open. If the Capitals resist the urge to improvise I think they will run away with the game but the Sens are capable of throwing Washington off their game. However, I think the Caps will have too much firepower for the Senator to handle.

Joe’s prediction: Caps 5 OTT 2

Official Preview

Game #2 Recap: Caps 7 Devils 2

The Capitals regained their winning form last night against the Devils. After a back and forth first period the Caps drove All-World goaltender Martin Brodeur to the bench with four goals in the second including an Alex Ovechkin penalty shot goal in the final minute. The third period was all Caps. Jersey backup goalie Johan Hedberg gave Brooks Laich a shorthanded gift with an errant clearing attempt that Laich stashed into an unguarded net. Eric Fehr scored on the power play and the fights were on. All-Stars Mike Green and Ilya Kovalchuk went at it, followed by Matt Hendricks and Rod Pelly, followed by Matt Bradley and David Clarskon. Finally Pierre-Luc Letourneau-Leblond of New Jersey attacked Caps Rookie Marcus Johansson from behind triggering a semi line brawl. Leblond was assessed 19-minutes in penalties and could face a suspension for instigating in the final five minutes of a game. John Carlson was given a game misconduct for jumping in to help the rookie. 
                             

The Caps as a whole came together as team after the first period. The Laich-Fleischmann-Semin line continued to click offensively. They put together another sweet passing play that Flash buried on a one timer from the left wing circle. The Ovechkin line started asserting them selves and Ovechkin scored the eventual game winner on a weaving rust through the New Jersey defense. Jason Chimera got on the score sheet after emerging from the penalty box and firing a long range shot behind Brodeur. However, the performance of John Carlson was inspiring. The rookie began the Caps scoring in the first with a wicked shot that used the Jersey defense as a screen and then assisted on the Caps next two goals. Add in his efforts defending his teammate and the future is bright for this young man. The Capitals next game is at home on Monday against the Ottawa Senators.

Of Note:

• Micheal Nuevirth put in another solid effort in goal for the Caps. He stopped 31 of 33 shots in the win, but the most impressive attribute I see in the young goalie is his ability to stop and freeze the puck. How many times did the Devils shoot the puck and have their momentum stopped dead with Nuevirth holding the puck.
• Alex Ovechkin and John Carlson each picked up 3 points. Tomas Fleischmann and Alexander Semin had 2 each.
• With his goal, Laich moved into a tie with Dianius Zurbus (who played against the Caps last night) for 28th on the Caps All-Time Goal Scoring list.
• Jeff Schultz was +1.
• Mike Knuble picked up an assist on Ovechkin's first goal.
• Ovechkin's penalty shot was the 7th of his career. It was the second time he converted the first was last season against Ray Emery.
• Tom Poti and Mike Knuble wore the "A" for the Caps last night.

Official Recap
Game summary
Event Summary

Game #2 Preview: Washington Capitals vs. New Jersey Devils

Where: Verizon Center, Washington, DC

When:  October 9, 2010 7:00 PM

History:           

Caps Record on this Date: 2-9-1-0

Caps Game 2 Record: 12-20-3-0

All-Time vs. NJ: 73-57-8-9

All-Time Home vs. NJ: 43-22-4-5

Last Season vs. NJ: 1-2-1

Last Meeting: 12/26/09, WAS 4 NJ 1

This Year:

WAS Record: 0-1-0

Standings Points: 0

Division Rank: 5th

Conference Rank: 13th      

Last Game: 10/8/10, WAS 2 ATL 4

Streak: Loss 1

NJ Record: 0-0-1

Standings Points: 1

Division Rank: 2nd

Conference Rank: 6th    

Last Game: 10/8/10, NJ 3 DAL 4 (OTL)

Streak: Loss 1

Probable Line-Ups:     

Washington

Forward Line 1: 8 OVECHKIN, 19 BACKSTROM, 22 KNUBLE

Forward Line 2: 21 LAICH, 14 FLEISCHMANN, 28 SEMIN

Forward Line 3: 25 CHIMERA, 39 STECKEL, 16 FEHR

Forward Line 4: 17 KING, 15 GORDON, 10 BRADLEY

Defense Pair 1: 55 SCHULTZ, 52 GREEN

Defense Pair 2: 3 POTI, 74 CARLSON

Defense Pair 3: 27 ALZNER, 4 ERSKINE

Goalie: 30 NEUVIRTH

Back-up Goalie: 35 SABOURIN

NJ

Forward Line 1: 26 ELIAS, 25 ARNOTT, 23 CLARKSON

Forward Line 2: 22 LEBLOND, 16 HENRIQUE, 17 KOVALCHUK

Forward Line 3: 9 PARISE, 10 PELLEY, 15 LANGENBRUNNER

Forward Line 4: 12 ROLSTON, 19 ZAJAC, 8 ZUBRUS

Defense Pair 1: 6 GREENE, 28 VOLCHENKOV

Defense Pair 2: 7 TILLINDER, 5 WHITE

Defense Pair 3: 2 FRASER, 29 URBOM

Goalie: 30 BRODUER

Back-up Goalie: 1 HEDBERG

Injuries:

Washington – 1 VALAMOV (groin) DTD

NJ – 24 SALVADOR (concussion) IR, 29 SALMELA (knee) IR

Caps Milestones:

Nicklas Backstrom needs 11 assists to reach 200 in his career.

Brooks Laich needs 10 points to reach 200 in his career.

John Erskine needs 2 penalty minute to reach 300 with the Capitals.

Preview:

After a lackluster performance against the Atlanta Thrashers the Capitals will try to rebound against the New Jersey Devils in their home opener. Atlanta played without Ilya Kovalchuck last night but the Devils have no such problem. The Caps usually have a tough game against the trapping defensive style New Jersey plays. The Caps will look to use a lot of indirect passing in the neutral zone to break the NJ trap. Again tonight, the key for the Caps is defensive responsibility and this will be a big early season test for the Caps. I think this will be a tight checking game with few scoring chances.

Joe’s prediction: Caps 3 NJ 2

Official Preview

Game #1 Recap: Caps 2 Thrashers 4

In the third minute of the game, there was an awful scene at Philips Arena as Thrashers goaltender Ondrej Pavelec collapsed to the ice unconscious. Pavelec lay on the ice for nearly fifteen minutes before taken off on a stretcher and rushed to the hospital. Reports are that preliminary tests are negative and he regained consciousness. We offer our prayers for a speedy recovery to the young man. It was quite a terrible site to witness.

As for the Caps, they just couldn't put it all together tonight. The ice looked choppy and the timing was not there. They seemed unable to capitalize on their chances. In the first period, Brooks Laich opened the scoring when he tapped in a sweet passing play from Tomas Fleischmann and Alexander Semin. However, five minutes later Fleischmann coughed up the puck at his own blue line and the Thrashers tied it up. The one bright spot for the Caps was the play of their young goalie Michael Nuevirth. Nuevirth made several sparkling saves and held the Caps in the game until late in the second when he was beaten on a deflected shot. he then had to face Evander Kane on a penalty shot when Mike Green was called for covering the puck in the crease. I don't know how the ref could make that call because from the replay Green looked as if he swiped the puck but I guess it doesn't matter and Atlanta converted on the penalty shot. The Caps got within one goal 8-minutes into the third as Alex Ovechkin made a nice shot fake and passed to Mike Knuble on a 2-on-1. Knuble buried the puck and the Caps were within striking distance. The Thrashers replied at the 15-minute mark with another deflection goal. The Caps took a penalty with 3-minutes left and that was it. The team heads back to Washington for their home opener with New Jersey tomorrow night.

Of Note:

• Matt Hendricks and rookie Marcus Johansson made their debuts in a Capitals uniform. Hendricks played well with 1 shot on goal, 1 hit, 1 takeaway and 2 blocked shots. Johansson played a solid 2-way game with some nice passing but needs to work on the face-offs, he won 1 of 8 draws. Hey Marcus, see David Steckel who was like second in the league last year.
• Nuevirth stopped 27 of 31 shots in the game.
• Alex Ovechkin, Mike Green, Tomas Fleischmann, and Alexander Semin each recored an assist.
• Jeff Schultz was +1.
• Both teams were 0-for-3 on the power play.
• And for those who keep track of such things. Of course Ovechkin wore the "C" as captain, the "A" was worn by Nicklas Backstrom and Jason Chimera.

Official Recap
Game Summary
Event Summary

Game #1 Preview: Washington Capitals at Atlanta Thrashers

Where: Philips Arena, Atlanta, GA

When:  October 8, 2010 7:30 PM

History:           

Caps Record on this Date: 4-7-0-0

Caps Game 1 Record: 17-16-2-0

All-Time vs. ATL: 34-18-5-5

All-Time at ATL: 14-11-2-4

Last Season vs. ATL: 6-0-0

Last Meeting: 4/9/10, WAS 5 ATL 2

This Year:

WAS Record: 0-0-0

Standings Points: 0

Division Rank: 1st

Conference Rank: 1st      

Last Game: 4/28/10, WAS 1 MON 2

Streak: na

ATL Record: 0-0-0

Standings Points: 0

Division Rank: 1st

Conference Rank: 1st    

Last Game: 4/10/10, ATL 1 PIT 0

Streak: na

Probable Line-Ups:     

Washington

Forward Line 1: 8 OVECHKIN, 19 BACKSTROM, 22 KNUBLE

Forward Line 2: 21 LAICH, 14 FLEISCHMANN, 28 SEMIN

Forward Line 3: 25 CHIMERA, 39 STECKEL, 16 FEHR

Forward Line 4: 17 KING, 15 GORDON, 10 BRADLEY

Defense Pair 1: 55 SCHULTZ, 52 GREEN

Defense Pair 2: 3 POTI, 74 CARLSON

Defense Pair 3: 27 ALZNER, 4 ERSKINE

Goalie: 30 NEUVIRTH

Back-up Goalie: 35 SABOURIN

Atlanta

Forward Line 1: 9 KANE, 80 ANTROPOV, 18 BERGFORS

Forward Line 2: 16 LADD, 47 PEVERLEY, 10 LITTLE

Forward Line 3: 21 EAGER, 23 SLATER, 19 MODIN

Forward Line 4: 36 BOULTON, 49 BURMISTROV, 27 THORBURN

Defense Pair 1: 6 HAINSEY, 39 ENSTROM

Defense Pair 2: 33 BYFUGLIEN, 29 ODUYA

Defense Pair 3: 4 BOGOSIAN, 3 SOPEL

Goalie: 50 MASON

Back-up Goalie: 31 PAVELEC

Injuries:

Washington – 1 VARLAMOV

Atlanta – None

Caps Milestones:

Nicklas Backstrom needs 11 assists to reach 200 in his career.

Brooks Laich needs 11 points to reach 200 in his career.

John Erskine needs 6 penalty minute to reach 300 with the Capitals.

Preview:

The Capitals open the season on the road against the Atlanta Thrashers. Atlanta went through great changes in the offseason. They have a new coach, a ton of new players and no Ilya Kovalchuk. The Caps had their number last season going 6-0-0. The Caps come into the season as a Stanley Cup contender and need to prove they can win in the second season. The Caps will want to come out of the gate strong so look for an extremely fast paced game. The key for the Caps is defensive responsibility and penalty killing. The team ranked in the middle of the pack in terms of penalty killing and this phase of the game is going to be emphasized by the coaching staff this year. I think there will be lots of hitting and lots of scoring chances and in the end the Caps will outgun the Thrashers.

Joe’s prediction: Caps 5 ATL 2

Official Preview

2010-2011 Washington Capitals Opening Roster

Here is the Opening roster for the Washington Capitals:

• Line 1: #8 Alex Ovechkin, #19 Nicklas Backstrom, #22 Mike Knuble
• Line 2: #21 Brooks Laich, #14 Tomas Fleischmann, #28 Alexander Semin
• Line 3: #25 Jason Chimera, #90 Marcus Johansson, #16 Eric Fehr
• Line 4: #17 D.J. King, #39 David Steckel, #10 Matt Bradley
• Reserve Forwards: #15 Boyd Gordon, #26 Matt Hendricks
• Defense Pair 1: #52 Mike Green, #55 Jeff Schultz
• Defense Pair 2: #3 Tom Poti, #4 John Erskine
• Defense Pair 3: #74 John Carlson, #27 Karl Alzner
• Reserve Defensemen: #89 Tyler Sloan
• Starting Goalie: #30 Micheal Nuevirth
• Reserve Goalie: #35 Dany Sabourin
• Injured Reserve: G #1 Semyon Varlamov